'Anything' South Korea can do for Ukraine's defense ability will be 'warmly welcomed': NATO official

"Anything" that South Korea can provide to help strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities will be "warmly welcomed," a senior NATO official said Tuesday, stressing the "strategic" implications of Russia's war in Ukraine for both Europe and Asia. The official made the remarks as Seoul has said it would reconsider its policy ban on the provision of lethal weapons to Ukraine following last month's summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North

July 10, 2024

Central Asian envoys mark travel book publication

The ambassadors of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat marked the publication of a travel book titled "Central Asia 3 Countries" on July 2. Authored by Seo Byung-yong and Go Soo-youl, the book comprehensively introduces Islamic architecture, the Silk Road and popular dishes like plov and lagman to Korean travelers. It also provides lists of must-buy items and specialized itineraries, including a travel course for women traveling a

July 9, 2024

[Hello India] India highlights growing defense industry

The Indian Embassy in Seoul highlighted the country’s growing defense sector at a seminar held Thursday to explore defense industry cooperation between the two countries. Indian Ambassador to South Korea Amit Kumar said there has been a steady increase in defense cooperation and such bilateral exchange will be expanded under the common goal of securing peace in the region. At the 10th ROK-India Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in March 2024, India and Korea committed to advancing the second

July 9, 2024

Egypt marks 72nd National Day in Seoul

The Egyptian embassy in Seoul celebrated the country’s 72nd National Day on Friday, commemorating the 1952 Egyptian Revolution that reestablished the country as a modern republic. Celebrating the day which falls on July 23, Egyptian Ambassador to Korea Khaled Abdel Rahman emphasized the potential for synergy between Cairo and Seoul, highlighting the opportunities for collaboration across political, economic and cultural domains, promoting mutual benefits and cooperation. "Together we

July 8, 2024

Oman participates Seoul book fair as country in spotlight

Oman was the "Spotlight Country" at the Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF) held from June 25-30. The event coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Oman and Korea. Delivering remarks at the event, Omani Ambassador Zakariya Hamed Hilal Al Saadi highlighted the publication of the book "Oman: A Long History of Friendship and Cooperation with Korea," by Lee Hee-soo. The book, written in both Korean and Arabic, underlines Oman-Korea cultural exchanges

July 8, 2024

Vietnam PM lauds Korean investments

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh lauded South Korean investments for driving Vietnam's economic development. Speaking at a business forum on Monday in Seoul, the prime minister highlighted Korea's position as the largest foreign investor in Vietnam. "Korea is the largest investor among the 146 countries investing in Vietnam, with more than $87 billion in over 10,000 projects. We highly value the contribution of Korean companies to Vietnam’s economic and social d

July 2, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kazakhstan keen to learn from Korean police: deputy minister

Kazakhstan is eager to learn from Korea's public and personnel administration in law enforcement, said Saitbekov Aidar, Kazakhstan’s deputy minister of internal affairs, in an interview with The Korea Herald on Thursday. Saitbekov was in Korea to attend the UN Public Service Forum in Songdo, Incheon, from June 24 to 26, an annual meeting since 2003 that gathered around 2,000 officials from about 100 countries to discuss innovations and challenges in public administration. Kazakhstan&r

July 2, 2024

Canadian frigate visits Incheon for Indo-Pacific alliance

The Royal Canadian Navy’s frigate, the HMCS Montreal, arrived in South Korea’s western port city of Incheon on June 27 for a six-day mission, underscoring Canada’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region. Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy serves as a comprehensive framework for increasing Canadian engagement across the Indo-Pacific, working with allies and partners to promote a stable, secure, and prosperous region, stated the Canadian Embassy in a press release on Wednesday.

July 1, 2024

Belarus recalls history, hopes to revive ties with S. Korea

The Belarusian Embassy in Seoul commemorated Belarus' National Day, recalling history and hoping to revive ties with South Korea on Friday. Belarusian National Day, observed on July 3, marks the liberation of Belarus from Nazi Germany in 1944. "The people of the Republic of Belarus, like the people of the Republic of Korea, have experienced both periods of joy and moments of sorrow," said Belarusian Ambassador to Korea Andrew Chernetsky in his remarks. Chernetsky acknowledged that

July 1, 2024

[Herald Interview] Time to open new page for S. Korea-Vietnam ties: Vietnam ambassador

Over the past 30 years, the relationship between South Korea and Vietnam has undergone a significant transformation, building on a connection that dates back 800 years. Now, it is time to open a new chapter in the partnership between the two countries, Vietnam's new Ambassador to Korea Vu Ho said, highlighting Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Seoul this week. “The prime minister's visit to Korea (this week) is to review what we have learned, what we have achieved be

June 30, 2024

US congratulates S. Korea on taking Minerals Security Partnership chair

The United States on Thursday welcomed South Korea undertaking the one-year chair of a multinational partnership aimed at developing diverse and sustainable supply chains for critical energy minerals. South Korea is set to start leading the Minerals Security Partnership on Monday, the State Department said. Launched in 2022, the MSP is a collaboration of 14 countries and the European Union to catalyze public and private investment in the global supply chains of critical minerals. "The ROK h

June 28, 2024

Experts from Central Asia, S. Korea talk rare minerals

Experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and South Korea discussed the region's mineral resources at the 2024 Korea-Central Asia Next-Generation Dialogue on Monday. The "Korea-Central Asia Next-Generation Dialogue" is part of an annual initiative under the Korea Foundation launched in 2017 to enhance cooperation by inviting emerging leaders from Central Asia to Korea. This year, the dialogue focused on global supply chain cooperation, with "co

June 25, 2024

[Hello India] India marks International Day of Yoga

The Indian Embassy in Seoul celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga on Saturday. The United Nations General Assembly designated June 21 as the International Day of Yoga through resolution 69/131, with the support of 175 member states in 2014. This year’s theme, "Yoga for Self and Society," underscored the dual benefits of yoga for individual well-being and community harmony. "Yoga, ancient Indian heritage, has transcended geographical, cultural and temporal boundaries,

June 25, 2024

Philippines recalls shared values with Korea

The Philippines recalled shared values with South Korea, marking 126 years of independence and 75 years of diplomatic ties with Seoul on June 11. Philippine Independence Day, which falls on June 12, commemorates the declaration of independence from Spain in 1898. The country was a Spanish colony from 1571 until 1898. The Philippines is considered Asia’s first constitutional republic, according to Philippines Ambassador to Korea Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega while paying tribute to the sac

June 24, 2024

Uzbek envoy to Korea passes away

Uzbek Ambassador to Korea Vitaly Fen died Tuesday in Uzbekistan, the embassy in Seoul confirmed. He was 77. Fen, a Koryoin, an ethnic Korean of the former Soviet Union, was the longest-serving top diplomat in Seoul who continued his mission as Uzbek ambassador since 1999. He was a Korea specialist, as he served his diplomatic mission for 14 years from 1999 to 2013. He began his second mission in Seoul in 2017 and continued his service until his death. Previously, he received the Order of Fidokor

June 19, 2024

Tajikistan calls for accelerated water action

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan -- Leaders, experts and policymakers called for urgent action to address water challenges at the Third Dushanbe Water Action Decade Conference held in Tajikistan's capital of Dushanbe last week. Held June 10-13, the conference was part of a biennial series co-organized by the government of Tajikistan, the United Nations and the European Union to support the International Decade for Action under the theme, “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028,” and

June 17, 2024

[Bridge to Africa] Egypt aims to strengthen ties with Korea on digital capacity building, AI

Egypt aims to boost cooperation with Korea in digital capacity-building, artificial intelligence, electronics design and manufacturing, according to the Egyptian minister in charge of communication and information technology. Speaking with The Korea Herald on Wednesday, Minister Amr Talaat expressed optimism about creating synergy with ICT potentials between the two nations, after a forum held on the sidelines of the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit last week where he met his South Korean counterpa

June 11, 2024

[Herald Interview] North Sulawesi's links with Korea, win-win, says governor

North Sulawesi Gov. Olly Dondokambey cited links between North Sulawesi-South Korea as a win-win for both Indonesia and South Korea during an interview with The Korea Herald on Wednesday. "Direct flights between Jeju and Manado, taking approximately four hours, are crucial. Indonesian citizens can visit Jeju without a visa, enhancing tourism and business travel," Dondokambey said referring to the strategic importance of direct flights between the two countries. According to Dondokambey

June 11, 2024

Sweden recalls historical bonds with Korea

Sweden marked its National Day on Wednesday, celebrating 501 years of independence since the election of King Gustav Vasa in 1523, and the 50th anniversary of Carl XVI Gustaf's reign, Sweden's longest-serving monarch. Delivering remarks at the event, Johannes Andreasson, charge d'affaires at the Swedish Embassy, highlighted the deep historical ties between Sweden and Korea. "We are celebrating 65 years of diplomatic relations, but our contacts date back over 300 years,"

June 11, 2024

[Herald Interview] Kazakh deputy minister hopes to boost economic diplomacy with Korea

Nazira Nurbayeva, Kazakhstan’s deputy minister of foreign affairs, expressed a strong commitment to boosting economic diplomacy with South Korea to shape future potential and mutual benefits. The term refers to promoting a state's economic interests through the use of economic tools in trade and investment, leveraging a comparative advantage to achieve specific foreign policy objectives. "Kazakhstan has resources, low production costs and affordable utilities, while Korea brings

June 11, 2024